Post by mpanayiotakis on Feb 19, 2009 22:33:33 GMT 2
Nintendo's Third-Generation DSi Is Expected in April (NewsFactor)
Nintendo's newest handheld video-game device is expected to hit the North American market on April 5. The DSi is the third edition of Nintendo's DS.
The DSi features two digital cameras -- one on the outside of the device and the other inside when it's flipped open. The cameras include 10 interactive lenses.
Along with the cameras, Nintendo also included a built-in microphone for its DSi Sound feature to record a user's voice. Also included is a music player that allows users to interact with the music by controlling the pitch and speed of music files.
The Nintendo DSi costs $169.99 and is available in only two colors -- black and blue.
Calling All DSi Developers
Nintendo's DSi will come with an application store dubbed the Nintendo DSi Shop. Gamers will have the ability to buy and download new applications using Wi-Fi hot spots.
Developers are being encouraged to create software to utilize the DS hardware. Along with the downloadable games, users can purchase games made specifically for DSi at retail stores, according to Nintendo.
Prices for applications vary, but start at $2, or 200 points. The DSiWare application will use Nintendo DSi software that can be downloaded using points, similar to WiiWare for the Nintendo Wii video-game console.
Boosting Sales
Nintendo continues to lead the video-game sector in sales of its Wii and DS systems. In 2008, Nintendo sold 3.04 million DS units and in January 2009, Nintendo sold 510,000, according to NPD. In total, since the launch of DS in 2004, Nintendo has sold 90 million units.
Will this new version of the DS be enough to woo gamers to spend in a recession? "If you look at historical sales performance for any time there is an upgrade on a platform, Nintendo seems to have it down," Riley said. "They came out with different versions of the Game Boy, and that continues to sell extremely well."
"Not only is it possible to attract non-DS owners, but current DS owners who are looking for a change," Riley added.
Based on data by NPD Group, the video-gaming industry has been able to buck the downturn faced by other consumer entertainment manufacturers. "A closer inspection of numbers shows that if not for Nintendo, the industry would not be doing well at all," Riley added. "Nintendo seems to be in a good position during this recession."
Source: Yahoo Tech, tech.yahoo.com/news/nf/20090218/tc_nf/64762
Nintendo's newest handheld video-game device is expected to hit the North American market on April 5. The DSi is the third edition of Nintendo's DS.
The DSi features two digital cameras -- one on the outside of the device and the other inside when it's flipped open. The cameras include 10 interactive lenses.
Along with the cameras, Nintendo also included a built-in microphone for its DSi Sound feature to record a user's voice. Also included is a music player that allows users to interact with the music by controlling the pitch and speed of music files.
The Nintendo DSi costs $169.99 and is available in only two colors -- black and blue.
Calling All DSi Developers
Nintendo's DSi will come with an application store dubbed the Nintendo DSi Shop. Gamers will have the ability to buy and download new applications using Wi-Fi hot spots.
Developers are being encouraged to create software to utilize the DS hardware. Along with the downloadable games, users can purchase games made specifically for DSi at retail stores, according to Nintendo.
Prices for applications vary, but start at $2, or 200 points. The DSiWare application will use Nintendo DSi software that can be downloaded using points, similar to WiiWare for the Nintendo Wii video-game console.
Boosting Sales
Nintendo continues to lead the video-game sector in sales of its Wii and DS systems. In 2008, Nintendo sold 3.04 million DS units and in January 2009, Nintendo sold 510,000, according to NPD. In total, since the launch of DS in 2004, Nintendo has sold 90 million units.
Will this new version of the DS be enough to woo gamers to spend in a recession? "If you look at historical sales performance for any time there is an upgrade on a platform, Nintendo seems to have it down," Riley said. "They came out with different versions of the Game Boy, and that continues to sell extremely well."
"Not only is it possible to attract non-DS owners, but current DS owners who are looking for a change," Riley added.
Based on data by NPD Group, the video-gaming industry has been able to buck the downturn faced by other consumer entertainment manufacturers. "A closer inspection of numbers shows that if not for Nintendo, the industry would not be doing well at all," Riley added. "Nintendo seems to be in a good position during this recession."
Source: Yahoo Tech, tech.yahoo.com/news/nf/20090218/tc_nf/64762